Getting Started With Research

Many students pursue research experiences as part of their major or minor curriculum. This page is meant to serve as a starting point for students interested in conducting research with a faculty member. Wellesley geoscience professors conduct research in many different fields and are always happy to chat about potential research opportunities. 

Research Opportunities

First Year Apprentice Program (FYAP) This program is offered through the Science Center and is one of several College-funded initiatives designed to promote inclusion in the natural sciences. The purpose of this program is to enable students who are from populations underrepresented in STEM and/or who attended high schools that did not offer much lab opportunity to become apprentices in Science Center faculty labs, where they can build some basic skills and confidence in their ability to participate in research. Applicants are only required to have an interest in STEM and to participate in a research environment for 3-4 hours/week once accepted into the program. Applications are open in the fall semester. For more information, contact Dr. Ayana McCoy.

Sophomore Early Research Program (SERP) This program is offered through the Science Center and is one of several College-funded initiatives designed to promote inclusion in the natural sciences. Sophomores accepted to this program will receive a stipend for carrying out research with a Science Center faculty member for 6 hours/week. Applications for the following year are open in the spring semester. For more information on available projects and the application process, refer to the SERP page.

Independent Research for Credit Students may conduct independent research projects with geoscience faculty members for 0.5-1 credit through GEOS 250, 250H, 350, 350H. Consult with a faculty member for more information and for potential research projects. Refer to the Student Research Projects page for examples of previous student research projects.

Science Center Summer Research Program This program is offered through the Science Center and takes place over the summer. Research is open to all Wellesley students with an interest in scientific research, with preference given to first years, sophomores, and juniors. Students receive a stipend for conducting research projects with faculty that culminate in a poster presentation at the end of the program. Geoscience research students often continue summer research work in an independent research project or a senior thesis. Applications and project opportunities for the summer are open in the spring semester. 

Research Opportunities at Other Institutions Many research institutions will offer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) during the summer. For more information, refer to the Summer Opportunities page. MIT also offers Undergraduate Research Opportunities (UROPs) for Wellesley students during the school year. Refer to the MIT UROP page for more information.